INTEGRITY A POWERFUL WEAPON

SCRIPTURE

GENESIS 18:19; EXODUS 18:21; DEUTERONOMY 16:19-20; JOB 27:4-6,31:1-40;PSALMS 7:3-8, 15:1-5, 18:20, 24:1-5,26:1-3; PROVERBS 3:3-4,4:25-27, 10:9,11:3-5. 12:22, 14:30, 16:11, 19:1,20:7,22:11; ISAIAH 26:7,33:15-16,56:1;EZEKIEL 18:5-9; MICAH 6:8; MALACHI 2:6; LUKE 3:13-14,6:31, 11:42,16:10;ACTS 24:16; ROMANS 9:1, 13:5; 2CORINTHIANS 4:2, 7:2, 8:21; PHILIPPIANS 4:8;COLOSSIANS 3:22-23; 1THESSALONIANS 2:4; 1TIMOTHY 1:5, 3:9; TITUS 1:7-8;HEBREWS 13:18; 1PETER 2:12, 3:15-16

APPLICATION

Integrity, a powerful weapon and seldom found in the world and can be used to powerfully impact the lives of others. Obeying the law, paying taxes, being faithful in marriage. dealing honestly in business, living up to your word, and doing right even when no one else is looking are examples of actions and attitudes of integrity which break down the enemy’s strongholds in other people’s lives and our own. The enemy knows that if he can cause us to compromise our integrity, our effectiveness as a witness for Christ will be lessened. And so he attacks in this area persistently.

There is a great cloud of witnesses counting on your integrity to glorify God and to promote the gospel in love and in truth to the world around you. Be on guard against the enemy’s schemes! Do what is right!

STUDY

Who needs to have Integrity?

What is Integrity?

Where in your life do you struggle with Integrity?

Why is acting with Integrity important?

When have you acted with Integrity and were persecuted for it?

How does living with Integrity effect your relationship with God?

How does this apply to your life?

What is your prayer?

What is your memory verse?

Strong Foundation Strong Defense

January 13, 2024 by mitch

Strong Foundation, Strong Defense is well-known to experienced martial artists but hard to learn for the novice.

Focusing on our Foundations forces one to look at what our feet are doing. Where they are placed and what direction they are heading. We then start to examine the strength of our balance and distribution of weight on each foot. If our Foundation never stands firm and is constantly shifting, our balance and control of weight distribution is compromised. This Foundation also connects to our core or what we call heaven , in Totally Christian Karate (which is where our power comes from) or our “Home” in Gentleness in Motion. We first, have to learn the correct technique of the Foundation. Second, we have to find the correct distancing of our feet for our own body. Third, we have to practice just standing in that Foundation. Fourth, we have to learn how to walk in that Foundation. Fifth, Learn to walk from one foundation into another, forward and backward. Now the rest of our Defense is ready to be added without compromised power and agility.

So be patient beginning students. This process takes a tremendous amount of focus and practice. If you have not practiced each step of the process at least 100 times you have not been formally introduced yet to that Foundation. After 300 repetitions you should start to feel comfortable. Don’t be deceived that you can skip this step and be effective. You will have movement but no power!

The same process is in effect with our Scriptural Self Defense. Take the time to learn and grow in the Foundations of your faith. First, we learn the name of the technique. Second, we memorize a scripture for that technique that we can explain what it means. Third, we do the Bible Study for that technique to get the balance. Fourth, we practice walking and doing. Fifth, we can go from subject to subject, doing, speaking the Word of God to edify, correct and warn those God loves.

Strong Foundation = Strong Self-Defense

The Lie That No One Cares

January 12, 2024 by mitch

The temptation to believe that no one cares will come someday so, stand firm in your faith knowing that the Lord is with you and on your side.

You are much more valuable to Him than the birds and grass that He so wonderfully takes care of. Remember all that you have read and studied in the Word of Truth that clearly expresses God’s promises of care for you both for now and into eternity. With a sincere heart draw near to God with confidence knowing that in Christ you are free from any guilt. Listen for words of exhortation from the Lord as you pray in the Spirit. Stand on the truth that as far as the east is from the west the Lord has removed the guilt of our past rebellion against the Lord and loves you so much that He placed them on His Son. Watch out for the lie that no one cares.

Physical and Scriptural Self -Defense

Attack – Cross Grab – The Lie = “No One Cares”
Techniques Used – Stand Firm Foundation, Word of Truth, Draw Near to God, Exhortation East-West Sweep

Scriptural Weapons –

[2Co 1:24 NIV] Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.
[2Ti 2:15 NIV] Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
[Heb 10:22 NIV] let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
[Act 13:15 NIV] After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
[Psa 103:12 NIV] as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Don’t listen to the lie that no one cares!

The Lie of Gluttony

January 13, 2024January 12, 2024 by mitch

What does the Word of God say about Glut·tony

noun \ˈglət-nē, ˈglə-tə-nē\: the act or habit of eating or drinking too much.

plural glut·ton·ies Full Definition of GLUTTONY

1: excess in eating or drinking

2: greedy or excessive indulgence

[Pro 23:1 NIV] When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you,
[Pro 23:2 NIV] and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

[Deu 21:20 KJV] And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son [is] stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; [he is] a glutton, and a drunkard.
[Pro 23:21 KJV] For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags.

So what

that I am a few pounds or maybe even more than a few pounds overweight? What does that have to do with my love and devotion to God? Who really cares anyway? These are some of the rebellious defense thoughts that my flesh spews when confronted with the lie of Gluttony.

I know, my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. But is it really about the physical health of my physical body? If it were, those who have medical illnesses would be in peril of accusation of the enemy of not loving the Lord. So maybe it’s not about the outside flesh but a matter of light and darkness that dwells within this body of flesh in my heart and will. The Temple is a place where the Lord dwells and we meet with Him. So the question is, “Has my temple been defiled by a lie of the enemy?” What is the thought that allows me to continue to over eat?

My thoughts that lead to gluttony are justified by the whispers of my enemy. It can be justified selfishness, pride and rebellion of wanting what I want when I want it. Deceived into not really caring about how the Lord feels about it. I forget about the starving and dying. The neighbors not far away that go hungry each night.

It has been written that physical longevity of life is gained in the gym and weight loss is gained in the kitchen. Does God really care if I am “FAT”. Probably not, but He sure cares about my reckless behavior of self pleasure.

Here is a physical and scriptural self-defense technique to remind me of the truth that Jesus is there and loves us.

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